Towed vehicle battery dead upon arrival at destination

[Pat O'Sullivan]

This summer we installed a Blue Ox tow package with a Stayinplay braking system. I own a 2007 Newmar Canyon Star 3303 which according to all info I have, it will keep the towed vehicle's battery charged while driving. Our first trip away resulted in a dead car battery when we arrived at the RV Resort which was embarassing and required a boost. This happens when I drive more than 4 hours without checking on the car during the trip. I checked for current at the plug in and got none. I spoke with the installer who said that it might be a blown fuse. Now I have to figure out which is the right fuse. Does anyone know exactly where the correct fuse box is located and which fuse it is?

 

[osuallen]

It can only keep your battery charged if you are running a 12 volt charge line and connecting to your battery via a charge controller.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

This summer we installed a Blue Ox tow package with a Stayinplay braking system. I own a 2007 Newmar Canyon Star 3303 which according to all info I have, it will keep the towed vehicle's battery charged while driving. Our first trip away resulted in a dead car battery when we arrived at the RV Resort which was embarassing and required a boost. This happens when I drive more than 4 hours without checking on the car during the trip. I checked for current at the plug in and got none. I spoke with the installer who said that it might be a blown fuse. Now I have to figure out which is the right fuse. Does anyone know exactly where the correct fuse box is located and which fuse it is?

Your fuse should be located under the hood of your coach. If you have a test light or multi meter, you can check to see if you have power at the trailer connection. You can google for a 7 pin wiring diagram image to show you where to check. You can also google for a 2007 Ford F53 under hood fuse diagram that will show you where to check.

 

[T’sOVR&Explore]

Perhaps take a step back if you don't find the problem right away, and consider placing a LiFePo4 battery in the toad to power that add-on job independently.

We place a 100 amp hour LiFePo4 on the floor of the back seat of our Ram 2500 Tradesman Crew that pulls our camper to independently power a piezo cooler with our lunch in it as we go out day tripping in it away from the camper.

Not ever gonna end up in a "no start" circumstance from the cooler depleting our starting battery while we were hiking an area of interest or otherwise spend time parked during the day. Preclusion of potential collateral problems by use of independent source load separation is a superpower!

 

[Wemustrv]

SO on they typical 7 trailer harness connection there is a power lead. I have installed a 12dc charger under the hood of our toad. No dead batteries

 

[DennisT]

May be a fuse n the charge line where it is connected to the toad battery as well. We have a blue ox setup on our Cherokee and there is a fuse at the battery connection.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

May be a fuse n the charge line where it is connected to the toad battery as well. We have a blue ox setup on our Cherokee and there is a fuse at the battery connection.

That is probable the best place to start checking. Work from the end of the circuit to the source.

 

[Pat O'Sullivan]

All good ideas. I will start with the fuse at the towed vehicle battery (Stayinplay braking system) and work my way to the motorhome chassis battery fuses. I'm very confused about the diagrams and fuse descriptions that are in the owner's manual. There is also a fuse box on the wall on the driver's side. Wondering if that might be where the fuse is located.

 

[John Burke]

First, I would question why the battery is dead after only 4 hours and fix the drain on the battery. I know nothing about the braking system you are using, but it should not drain a battery completely down in 4 hours. Next, I would go to whatever store you prefer and gat a handheld jump start unit. Make sure it is big enough to start the coach also. They come in very handy sometimes, can even help out someone else.